Florentine Hoffman, a public art artist from the Netherlands, visited the theme park created by Smilegate in Jeju.
On October 27, Hoffman toured Dolkori Forest to check the final installation site of his large sculpture, 'Tangerine Cat.'
Dolkori Forest is a theme park that opened on April 30 of this year in Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo City, Jeju, named after the 'Dolkonaengi' (stone cat) from Jeju folklore.
'Tangerine Cat' is a large installation art piece measuring 16.3 meters in length and 7.3 meters in height. It is Hoffman's first work featuring a cat, combining the symbolism of Jeju's tangerines with the cat-themed world of Dolkori Forest, conveying the message of 'new discoveries in familiar landscapes.'
According to Yonhap News, Hoffman also explored the indoor exhibition hall and outdoor garden of Dolkori Forest. He examined works by various domestic and international artists and discussed the background of the artworks and the direction of the space's design with Dolkori Forest officials.
Hoffman remarked, 'Seeing the Tangerine Cat harmoniously installed in the park is truly fantastic, and I was reminded of the power that the scale of the work can exert. I believe it fits perfectly with Jeju and Dolkori Forest.' He added, 'I hope this piece serves as a catalyst for imagination, inspiring visitors to see it, marvel at it, and dream up their own whimsical ideas.'
The 'Tangerine Cat' is also significant for reflecting the characteristics of the area where it is installed. It expresses the local identity through a modern sculpture that combines Jeju's representative specialty, tangerines, with the cat-themed world of Dolkori Forest.
Unlike the existing Rubber Duck, which tours various cities, this piece is designed to be experienced only at Dolkori Forest, connecting the location itself to a unique artistic experience.
Florentine Hoffman is a public art artist from the Netherlands known for reinterpreting everyday objects and animals into large sculptures.
His signature work, 'Rubber Duck,' was first unveiled in 2007 in Saint-Nazaire, France, and has since toured major cities worldwide, including Amsterdam, Osaka, Sydney, and Hong Kong. In South Korea, it was installed at Seokchon Lake in Seoul in 2014 and 2022, gaining widespread recognition.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.